HEAVEN'S HOPE 6

She wanders down the long hall-the green mile-everything is bright and clean-shiny clean-a mother's frustrated clean; smell of fresh air flowing on a March day as she cleans the windows of the little house.
Catches the scent of lilacs just peeking, opening, wondering if it was safe to pop petals.
She hangs the still wet curtains, scrubs the floor, washes spots from the rug and slides into the chair.
Tired, worn, but softened by the work-pleased with the feeling and scent of clean air-watching the sunlight pour through the lace curtains uncertain if they are fireworks or just light fairies.
Watching, breathing, the silence of clean.
Peaceful- no demons parading before her floating eyes.
Deep breathing soft sounds of spring coming-grass growing-crocus peeping even though knowing the cold is not gone yet.
Her fingers relax- a good day-work done- the sound of her daughters laughing upstairs playing Barbies; five minutes; six minutes; seven minutes; eight minutes; ticking of the clock-breathing-eyes closed-warmth of their laughter melting the black hole in her heart.
Peace; solemnity of purpose; job well done; sun softly caressing her face; licking feet; warming the soul.
Nine minutes; ten; eleven; twelve; a memory, please let me stay
There is no pain- no sorrow- no hurt
There is nothing left at all, earth has screamed her last and vaulted out of the milky way heading to other times and places.
FINIS

Second to the left and straight on 'til morning.